Some of University Science Books’ titles in astronomy, as displayed on the company’s site. Image: University Science Books
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
List Takeover Is Set for July 1
This month, the MIT Press has announced its acquisition of the textbook publisher University Science Books. The buy was made from AIP Publishing, a subsidiary of the American Institute of Physics.
As our academic and scholarly publishing readers may know, University Science Books was founded in 1978 to publish intermediate- and advanced-level science and reference books, priced as affordably as possible.
Over the years, some of the company’s authors have acquired international followings, and in some cases, the company’s textbooks in chemistry, physics, and astronomy have been recognized for their quality in their respective disciplines.
University Science Books was acquired by AIP Publishing in 2021.
Some of the leading sellers from University Science Books being touted by MIT Press in announcing its acquisition include:
- Classical Mechanics, which MIT Press says is the No. 1 adopted text for undergrad mechanics courses in the United States and Canada, and his Introduction to Error Analysis; and
- Don McQuarrie’s Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach (commonly known as “Big Red”), which MIT Press says is the second-most adopted physical chemistry textbook in the States.
Alexandra ‘Alix’ Vance
In a comment on the news, Alix Vance, the CEO of AIP Publishing, which has sold University Science Books, says, “We are so pleased to have found a new home for University Science Books’ prestigious list of textbooks in the sciences
“With its strong STEM focus, academic rigor, and high production standards, MIT Press is the perfect partner to continue the publishing legacy of University Science Books.”
Amy Brand
And at MIT Press, Amy Brand, the director and publisher of the publishing house, is quoted, saying, “This acquisition is both a brand and content fit for MIT Press.
“USB’s respected science list will complement our long-established publishing history of publishing foundational texts in computer science, finance, and economics.”
Brand’s MIT Press is expected to take over the University Science Books list on Tuesday (July 1).
At that point, inventory will transfer to Penguin Random House Publishing Services, which is MIT Press’ sales and distribution partner. Publishing Perspectives readers who need details on University Science Books titles, inventory, and how to order, are asked to contact mitpress_textbooks@mit.edu.
More from Publishing Perspectives on academic publishing is here, more on textbooks is here, and more on mergers and acquisitions is here.